Attachment for sewing machines



(No Model.)

B.. O. PRATOR.

QUILTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES. No. 288,660 Patented Nov. 20, 1883.

' Attornayo,

N4 PEYERST Fhmblilhngnphur. Washingmm 0.0.

UNIT D STATES PATENT Grains.

BELTON O. PRATOR, OF MONTEZUMA, GEORGIA.

QUILTING ATTACHMENT Foe SEWING-MACHINES.

SRECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,660, dated November 20, 1883,

Application filed May 5, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BELTON O. PRATOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mon tezuma, in the county of Macon and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Quilting-Frame, of which the following is a specification, reference'being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to quilting-frames, especially adapted to be used with sewingmachines, and it has for its object to provide asimple, durable, inexpensive, and efficient device which can be readily worked with ease and. rapidity.

It consists in certain novel improvements in the construction of the same, whereby the frame can fit any size of .sewingmachine, and is adapted. to follow the feed of the machine; and it consists, further, in' additional details of construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

I11 the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the quilting-frame, showing its use in connection with a sewing-machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of i the frame. Fig. Sis a transverse vertical section of the same on line 00 90. Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of thelegs of the frame, showing its adjustabilit-y; and Fi 5 is a modification of the rollers and track.

The same letters refer to corresponding parts in the several figures. I

Referring to the drawings, A designates a sewing-machine of ordinary construction, and- B designates a rectangular frame, over one side of which projects the arm 0 of the sewing-machine. This frame consists of longitudinal bars Z), mortised in end pieces, I), and

provided with rollers E E, carrying the quilt F, which is attached to said rollers in the usual manner. As shown, the quilt passes over one bar and under another bar, and this alternate intertwining serves to hold the quilt taut while the operation of quilting is going on.

The rollers E E are provided .with pulleywheels G G, and a belt, H, connects said wheels for joint operation. One end of each roller is fitted in a slot, 6, of the frame, and by this meansthe rollers can be taken out and changed as desired.

I designates the legs of the frame, provided with means, to adapt the same to any size of sewing-machine. Said means preferably consist, as shown, of the holes 1' in each leg registering with an opening, h, in each of the end pieces, I), a pin or bolt, j, being inserted through the holes and openings. Thus by raising or lowering the frame and inserting the pins, as stated above, I can adjust my frame to any size of sewing-machine in the market. Cross bars or braces I connect the lower ends of the legs and serve as a strengthening means, and also to hold the legs at a proper distance apart; and, as shown in Fig. 2, I provide longitudinal braces I ,which form additional strengthening means.

The legs I are provided with casters or other suitable rollers, J, which move in a track, K, connected by cross-ties L. This track .may be attached directly to the floor, or to a bottom frame, as shown in Fig. 5. By means of the construction shown in said figure I can use my machine on comparatively rough ground, or 011 the lawn, where the track itself would not rest securely in place. i

To the sides of the quilt is attached a hook, M, having a cord and weight, N 0. As seen, this hook can be changed as the work proceeds,

so that the quilt will be held laterally straight at all 'times. The weight serves also as a counter-balance for the frame, so as to steady its movements.

In operation the outer roller, E, is intro duced beneath thearm of the sewing-machine, so as to bring the desired line of scam near the path of the needle. The sewing is then performed in the usual manner, the entire frame sliding laterally along 011 the track, thus following the feed of the sewing-machine, and being guided by the operator, as may be necessary. After one seam has been finished, the presser-foot and needle of the machine are raised and the frame drawn back in the line of feed for a new seam. the frame admits the described movements with perfect ease, so that the seams can be run as required, and located any distance apart. The winding up of the rollers is accomplished by turning the pulleys, the winding of one pulley likewise winding theother, so that one roller unwinds as the other is wound.

The free mobility of In some instances it may be found desirable, I besides possessing other advantages of minor wheneverone half of the quilt is completed, to change the roller having the finished work to the opposite end of the machine, and substitute therefor the roller having the unfinished work. The purpose of this change is to obviate the objectionable features of the completed roller becoming too heavy for free manipulati on, and besides, this heavy completed roller will possess other disadvantages which this change of rollers obviates.

As the legs of the quilting frame are removable, the said frame can be packed into a small compass when not needed, and readily put together, as desired. The longitudinal bars of the frame can also be made readily removable for the same purpose.

My frame is simple and durable in construction, can be made of cheap materials at slight expense, and is very eificient in its operation,

consideration.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new In combination with the quilt, rollers E E and frame B, a hook, M, engaging with the sides of the quilt, and a cord attached to the said hook, having a weight at the lower end, said cord passing over the end pieces, I), of the frame, and said hook being adapted to be changed as the work proceeds, the weight 011 the cord serving as a counter balance for the frame, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BELTON ONEAL PRATOR.

\Vitnesses:

E. G. SIMMONS, J. A. MAXWELL. 

